Thread by @ruth_madeley

DISABILITY HATE INCIDENT THREAD:

Last month, on the same day that our new BBC drama about the fight for #DisabilityRights was officially announced, I had to report my first #disability hate incident...

A taxi driver refused to drop me off at Euston Station's accessible entrance as the traffic was heavy & it would be "too difficult" for him to drive round. He instead insisted that I use the inaccessible entrance, as he had seen me stand & so "knew I could walk"...

When I told him that I can't manage stairs, he proceeded to tell me that it was MY problem not his. As if this wasn't traumatic enough, he demanded his fare even though the journey had been prepaid...

When I tried explaining this on the street, he became very agitated &, in sheer frustration, HE TOOK MY WHEELCHAIR from behind me without warning & carried it away to put in the boot of his taxi, leaving me on the side of the road. When I asked for it back, he refused...

Thankfully, I wasn't travelling alone & my mum was able to grab my chair from the driver, although he tried his best to stop her.

For me, taking somebody's wheelchair without consent & effectively holding it to ransom, is criminal behaviour...

When I called the police, the lady I dealt with was just awful. After telling me that the ordeal was not a hate crime & that no criminal act had taken place, I've since learned that she didn't log the incident properly &, as such, my case was dismissed without me knowing...

I was shut down & made to feel as though I was making a fuss over nothing.

Ultimately, after more fighting & asking for support, the police told me that nothing can be done. No warning to the taxi driver or the firm, no accountability, no consequences...

This kind of shit is happening to disabled people EVERY SINGLE DAY & it is clear proof that the fight for disability rights is far from over.

#DisabilityTwitter